The Effect of the Suspension, Electrical Stimulation and Treadmill Training in the Hindlimb Muscle of the Rats

Park, Jeong Mee; Kim, Sung Hoon; Jung, Soon Hee; Lee, Yang Tark; Kim, Ic Soo; Jang, Sang Min

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of suspension, the electrical stimulation and full weight bearing treadmill training on the muscle atrophy and transformation of muscle fibers. METHOD: Forty Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into control and 3 intervention groups: suspension control (n= 10), suspension with weight bearing treadmill (n=10), and suspension with electrical stimulation (n=10). After 4 weeks intervention, both gastrocnemius and soleus were dissected and the muscle weight and transformation of muscle fibers were analyzed. RESULTS: In suspension control and suspension electrical stimulation groups, muscle to body weight ratio of gastro-cnemius was decreased compared to control group (p<0.05). In all intervention groups, muscle to body weight ratio of soleus was decreased compared to control group (p<0.05). In suspension electrical stimulation group, type I muscle fiber ratio of gastrocnemius was increased compared to control and suspension control groups (p<0.05). In suspension electrical stimulation group, type IIa muscle fiber ratio of gastrocnemius was increased compared to suspension control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that muscle atrophy induced by disuse and transformation of muscle fiber can be prevented by electrical stimulation intervention.